The Covid emergency seems to be definitively behind us now, but, however, we still can't say goodbye to masksat least in some particular situations. From May XNUMX, Italy will enter the post-Covid phase, there will be fewer obligations on masks, but it will not be a definitive go-ahead. WHO itself, the World Health Organization, has not yet declared the effective end of the emergency. Let's see what changes with the new ordinance, signed by the Minister of Health, Andrea Schillaci, who enters effective May XNUMXst.
The obligation remains in nursing homes, intensive care units and infectious diseases
Under the new ordinance, thethe obligation to wear masks will remain in the RSA and in the hospital and infectious disease departments. “The solution aims to protect the frail and immunosuppressed elderly,” explained Minister Schillaci. Mandatory masks, therefore, for the employees and visiting relatives. In first aid remains the use of the device for patients with respiratory symptoms and contacts such as staff, other patients and relatives, respecting the paths already followed. Decade me too'buffer requirement to enter the hospital.
The obligation in bars and hospital parking areas is no longer valid
The masks, on the other hand, they will no longer be mandatory or recommended in the bar, canteen and hospital parking areas. Where it will no longer be mandatory, the recommendation remains the use of the protective device if there are elderly, frail and immunosuppressed patients, to protect them. There final decision, however, it will be up to the healthcare managers of hospitals, medical directors of local structures and family doctors and paediatricians in their surgeries and waiting rooms.
Covid: maintain prudence
The previous ordinance which provided for the obligation to wear masks in nursing homes and hospitals had expired the 30 April. Already in December 2022, the Meloni government had extended the obligation to wear a mask in RSA, emergency rooms and hospitals. Meanwhile, the data, according to the minister Orazio Schillaci, show that the emergency is over. However, it remains important to keep control of the situation. In the event of a new threat, in the form of a variant, the minister says "we are ready to intervene". Prudence also comes from the director general of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus “We are very encouraged by the steady decline in deaths, down 95% since the start of 2023. However, some countries are registering increases”.
For next season the intention will be to propose flu vaccination together with the anti-Covid one, offering possibly updated doses based on the circulating viruses.
